A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Darwin vs. Sapporo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Darwin or Sapporo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Sapporo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Darwin

Darwin is a local, tropical, and multicultural town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a park-filled, snowy, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Darwin and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Darwin or Sapporo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Darwin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Darwin is known for its beaches and hiking. Sapporo is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park. Darwin is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Darwin different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sapporo and Darwin. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is notable for snow skiing. However, Darwin is not a skiing destination.

People head to Sapporo specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. There are many great ski areas that are an easy day trip from the center of town. Very close by you'll find Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Teine is where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held. It's divided into the family-friendly Olympia Zone and the more advanced Highland Zone.

Darwin is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Darwin or Sapporo?

Sapporo is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sapporo can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of shrines and museums in the city. Make sure you check out Hokkaidō Shrine, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and the Sapporo Science Center.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

Is the Food Better in Darwin or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapporo is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sapporo. The local cuisine focuses on the world class fishing in the area as well as the great agriculture. Pork is a common meat ingredient and many dishes include ramen, vegetables, or grilled seafood.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Sapporo has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's nightlife scene is laid back and mostly concentrated in the Susukino area. In particular, King Xmhu is famous for its party nights and wild decor.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a town with good options for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a great town for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Darwin for the hiking trails. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Darwin or Sapporo?

Sapporo is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Sapporo is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping malls are the most popular places to enjoy browsing the stores. This is particularly nice during the snowy winter months when you can escape into the heated malls.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Families?

Darwin and Sapporo are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Darwin is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sapporo. The city has many activities for families, any time of year. There's skiing and winter sports in the winter and theme parks and camping in the summer. There's also a Puppet Theater and indoor play areas for when the weather is poor.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Sapporo is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Sapporo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy the parks, gardens, museums, and winter sports in the area. A highlight for everyone is a visit to the famous Sapporo Snow Festival, which features many ice sculptures.

Darwin is a good town for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is notable for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sapporo is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Darwin is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is notable for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.

Sapporo is a great city to visit as a student. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Darwin is not popular with students.

Is Darwin or Sapporo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sapporo is notable for its public transit. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Sapporo can get you around easily. Most visitors use the subway system to get around. There are three lines - the Namboku Line, Tozai Line, and Toho Line- all of which pass through Odori Station. The city also has a streetcar and buses.

Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Darwin or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Sapporo is a very walkable city. The city center, where you'll find many of the attractions, is walkable. Susukino Station is about a 20 or 30 minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable town. There are biking and walking paths around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Darwin Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Darwin?

How long in Darwin or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Darwin and Sapporo. In our opinion, Sapporo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sapporo than Darwin. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Sapporo than Darwin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sapporo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sapporo than Darwin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sapporo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Darwin if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sapporo.

One day in Darwin or Sapporo?

In Darwin, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Sapporo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Darwin or Sapporo?

In Darwin, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Darwin has to offer.

Sapporo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Darwin or Sapporo?

Darwin is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sapporo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Darwin or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Darwin. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the snowy big city of Sapporo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Darwin and Sapporo, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Darwin is in Pacific and Sapporo is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darwin Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Darwin or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Darwin and Sapporo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Darwin or Sapporo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Darwin is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Sapporo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Darwin or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Sapporo. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Darwin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Darwin is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Darwin in January average around 29°C (83°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F)in July.

In the summer, Darwin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporoin July. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.

Darwin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Sapporoin July. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Sapporo in the Autumn?

Both Sapporo and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In April, Darwin is generally much warmer than Sapporoin October. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (84°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In April, Darwin usually receives less rain than Sapporoin October. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Darwin or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Darwin during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Darwin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sapporo can be very cold during winter. Darwin is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Darwin. In the winter, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Sapporoin January. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.

Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Sapporoin January. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Sapporo. Most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Darwin is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Darwin in October average around 29°C (85°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F)in April.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Darwin usually receives more rain than Sapporoin April. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Darwin